Nara Travel Guide

Nara was the Japan's first permanent capital, it was established in the year 710 at Heijo, a town some 35km further south in an area which is considered as the birthplace of Japanese civilization. Nara is situated in the Kinai plain, around one hour from Kyoto and Osaka. In relation to its past as the first permanent capital, it enjoys of historic treasures, including some of Japan's oldest Buddhist temples.

Among the seventh and eighth centuries, the Buddhism took force within Japan under the favouritism of court nobles, who sponsored sumptuous temples and works of art, many of which are present to this day.

Fortunately, after that, Nara was free to choosing its own devices and it's now a relaxed, attractive place set against a backdrop of wooded hills. Its greatest attraction is surely the monumental bronze Buddha of Todai-ji, while Kofuku-ji and several of the smaller temples are owner of outstanding collections of Buddhist statuary. At the southwest of Nara is located the temple of Horyu-ji, it seems to be the most ancient wooden building of the world, it contains masterpieces of art as too Yakushi-ji and Toshodai-ji both contain yet more early masterpieces of Japanese art and architecture.